Considering a 2003 or 2004 E320
#1
07-20-2006, 07:55 PM
Considering a 2003 or 2004 E320
Hello,
I am an occasional lurker here on your forum. I have been contemplating a 2003-2004 E320. However, i must admit that the number of issues relating to this year and body style have me shying away. I will be buying this car for the long haul, probably more than 200,000 miles. I went to the MB brand due to their reputation of reliability and longevity. I do realize that you will hear people complain about their cars online more than you will hear them sing the praises, but magazine articles have also reported about reliability issues with this year/model. I am also considering a Lexus ES330 (same years), and a Toyota Avalon (2005). Research proves that each of these models have their own demons, and I need to learn which ones i can live with. However, it seems to me that the MB by far has the most complaints, electrical and otherwise. The MB is definitely my favorite however, based on pure emotion! I love the keyless go feature and luxurius interior.
If i am purchasing used, can i request the vehicle maintenance records from MB? Would i have to buy from a MB dealer in order to get the vehicle maintenance records? If i found a private party seller, would i be able to take the VIN to a MB dealer and get the records? I am thinking if i find one with a short "issues resolved" list, then perhaps i have found a good one, and if it has a long list, i should probably avoid it?
Can i get an extended warranty through MB (or some 3rd party warranty service - are those even recommended?) if i by through a private seller (my current car is a 1999, so it has been a long while since i've been car shopping!)
Any insight on these issues would be helpful - in short, they are:
1. Can i rely on this car for 200,000 miles?
2. Are these 'buggy' years for this car?
3. Can i get the maintenance records if i buy through a dealer
4. Can i get the maintenance records from MB if i buy through a private party or other car dealership
5. Can i buy an MB extended warranty through MB separately if i buy through a private party or other dealership
6. Are 3rd party warranty companies recommended?
Thanks for your help, its been very helpful to read through these forums.
Jodie
I am an occasional lurker here on your forum. I have been contemplating a 2003-2004 E320. However, i must admit that the number of issues relating to this year and body style have me shying away. I will be buying this car for the long haul, probably more than 200,000 miles. I went to the MB brand due to their reputation of reliability and longevity. I do realize that you will hear people complain about their cars online more than you will hear them sing the praises, but magazine articles have also reported about reliability issues with this year/model. I am also considering a Lexus ES330 (same years), and a Toyota Avalon (2005). Research proves that each of these models have their own demons, and I need to learn which ones i can live with. However, it seems to me that the MB by far has the most complaints, electrical and otherwise. The MB is definitely my favorite however, based on pure emotion! I love the keyless go feature and luxurius interior.
If i am purchasing used, can i request the vehicle maintenance records from MB? Would i have to buy from a MB dealer in order to get the vehicle maintenance records? If i found a private party seller, would i be able to take the VIN to a MB dealer and get the records? I am thinking if i find one with a short "issues resolved" list, then perhaps i have found a good one, and if it has a long list, i should probably avoid it?
Can i get an extended warranty through MB (or some 3rd party warranty service - are those even recommended?) if i by through a private seller (my current car is a 1999, so it has been a long while since i've been car shopping!)
Any insight on these issues would be helpful - in short, they are:
1. Can i rely on this car for 200,000 miles?
2. Are these 'buggy' years for this car?
3. Can i get the maintenance records if i buy through a dealer
4. Can i get the maintenance records from MB if i buy through a private party or other car dealership
5. Can i buy an MB extended warranty through MB separately if i buy through a private party or other dealership
6. Are 3rd party warranty companies recommended?
Thanks for your help, its been very helpful to read through these forums.
Jodie
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